A Solemn Journey

RONALD REAGAN: 1911-2004

Thousands Line Route Of Reagan Funeral Procession

WASHINGTON -- Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of the nation's capital Wednesday to pay solemn tribute to Ronald Wilson Reagan, America's 40th president.

Sirens blared, a military band played "God Bless America" and 21 F-15E fighter jets streaked overhead as a horse-drawn caisson carried the late former president's flag-draped coffin down Constitution Avenue to the Capitol.

FOR THE RECORD - ********** CORRECTION OR CLARIFICATION PUBLISHED JUNE 11, 2004 **********A list of Friday Closings on Page A10 Thursday detailing offices to be closed for the national day of mourning for former President Ronald Reagan neglected to include offices in Seminole County. Most Seminole County government offices, including administrative offices of the sheriff, the County Commission, tax collector and property appraiser, will be closed today. The Supervisor of Elections Office will be open until noon. Parks and the landfill will operate as usual.*************************************************************

There, former first lady Nancy Reagan, dressed in a simple black dress, clutched the arm of a military escort who led her to the west entrance of the historic building to the strains of "Hail to the Chief." The traditional 21-gun salute followed, as military honor guards carried the coffin up the white marble stairs and into the rotunda.

Before crossing the threshold, Nancy Reagan reached out to touch the coffin of her husband of 52 years, who died Saturday at their home in California after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

As "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" played slowly in the background, about 800 people -- family members as well as national and foreign dignitaries -- waited inside the 15-story centerpiece of the nation's Capitol for a service to be led by Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

It was a day of pageantry not seen since the state funeral of the late President Lyndon Johnson three decades ago and a national rite that began in 1865 after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

There were few tears but many solemn and affectionate memories of the 93-year-old former president, California governor and movie actor. He was remembered as the man whose tough stance against the Soviet Union helped end the Cold War and begin a new era with its own perils and promise.

But mostly, he was remembered as "the Great Communicator" who could inspire a nation with his optimism, determination and good humor.

"It is altogether fitting and proper that he has returned to this Capitol Rotunda like another great son of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, so the nation can say goodbye," said Hastert, another Illinois Republican.

"This Capitol Building is, for many, the greatest symbol of democracy and freedom in the world. It brings to mind the `shining city on a hill' of which President Reagan so often spoke," Hastert said. "It is the right place to honor a man who so faithfully defended our freedom, and so successfully helped extend the blessings of liberty to millions around the world."

President Bush, at an economic summit of world leaders, could not attend the service.

But Cheney recalled Reagan's "largeness of spirit" and his "kindness, goodness and simplicity of character." After Cheney's eulogy, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants sang "America the Beautiful," their voices echoing off the marble walls.

Nancy Reagan then walked up to the coffin, gently running her hands across the flag and uttering what seemed to be her own private message.

Outside, thousands of mourners waited patiently for the service to end so they could pay their last respects to Reagan, who will lie in state for 34 hours before a funeral ceremony at Washington National Cathedral on Friday morning.

Already, more than 100,000 people had paid their respects to Reagan at his presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif., where he will be buried at sunset Friday.

All day long Wednesday, District residents and visitors to Washington lined up along Constitution Avenue, with chairs, picnic lunches, dogs, even footballs.

The atmosphere of a community picnic became more muted as the procession neared, the military bands passing one by one.

When the caisson bearing Reagan's body approached, though, parents hushed their children and hoisted them onto their shoulders. For several minutes, the only sounds were of the horses' hooves and the whispery noise of people rushing to get a better view.

Soon, a wave of applause and whistles rolled up the street, and the throng cheered for a full five minutes.

"Love ya, baby!" one man yelled.

Sgt. York, a skittish black horse without a rider, followed the caisson. Reagan's brown leather Army officer boots were hooked into the stirrups facing backward, symbolizing a warrior who will not ride again but is looking back to say farewell to his troops.

Those boots, with their nickel spurs, had been with Reagan for six decades as he made and remade himself. Reagan was an Army Reserve captain during World War II.

The boots were favorites of Reagan's as he rode horses at his Rancho del Cielo home during his presidency and afterward, until Alzheimer's robbed him of his faculties.

Born in Tampico, Ill., he worked his way through Eureka College and became a sports announcer and then a television actor. After leading the Screen Actors Guild, he became involved in politics, won the governorship of California and then beat President Carter in a 1980 election strongly influenced by a poor economy and the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran.